After careful consideration, B.C. government lawyers have today filed notice to appeal the recent decision of Justice Walker in the J.P. matter.

Justice Walker’s decision raises issues of general importance for child protection practice, for which government is seeking clarity from the B.C. Court of Appeal.

Social workers perform important responsibilities in often difficult circumstances. The finding that social workers in this case acted in bad faith has serious consequences for individual employees and others who perform the crucial public function of child protection.

The B.C. government will act as expeditiously as possible to bring the appeal to hearing and its comprehensive legal arguments will be set out in its factum, which will be filed within 90 days as required by Court of Appeals Rules or in accordance with any direction from the Court.